THE province of Cagayan, a top rice producer in Region 2 (Cagayan Valley), received P503.17 million worth of farm machines from the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (DA-PHilMech) under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF).DA Region 2 Executive Director Narciso Edillo said the amount covers the period from 2019 to 2022.For this year, however, another set of farm machines worth P77.1 million was released during the Provincial Turn-Over and Agricultural Machinery Distribution at the DA-Southern Cagayan Research Center in Minanga Norte, Iguig town on Wednesday, February 22. He said 46 farmers' cooperatives and associations received 61 farm machine units that include a rice combine harvester, precision rice seeder, hand tractor and recirculating dryer that will benefit farmers from Tuguegarao City and the 22 municipalities in Cagayan province. Dr. Pearlita Mabasa, Cagayan provincial agriculturist, thanked the implementers of the program and explained that the benefits from the RCEF mechanization program include various components to increase the production and income of farmers.'Today, these machines that you will receive are from the mechanization component under the RCEF, which will greatly help in reducing the labor cost in the farm operation,' Mabasa told the recipient FCAs during the distribution.Facility Management and Field Operations Division Acting Chief Mayville Castro, who represented PHilMech Director Dionisio Alvindia during the turnover ceremony, confirmed the amount of P503.17 million worth of machines already released to Cagayan province from 2019 to 2022.'I hope you will take care of and love them so that they can be used by the next generation,' Castro said to the farmers on behalf of Alvindio.'Use these machines correctly and properly so that more people will benefit and you will also earn more.'During the distribution, farmers were also challenged to form associations or cooperatives to avail of the services from the DA including credit and market assistance, enterprise development, and technology interventions. Edillo assured farmers of the government's agricultural programs and opportunities for them to grab.'These are all for you my dear farmers. RCEF is here because we want to empower our farmers and modernize the farming system. Most importantly, we want you to become successful agripreneurs,' he said during the event.
